Breastfeeding struggle - just need a hand hold

[Happyface82]

Having a really bad day. Just need some reassurance really. I have a 12 day old. Exclusive breastfeeding. Started off really well. She is putting on weight nicely so paed told us not to wake her for feeds.

She usually goes straight from 1am to 7am then has a quick feed and goes down again until 11am then again has a nice long stretch. She is always alert early evening/ late evening and has more frequent feeds in that time frame. Maybe every 1,5 hours.

It's nice as we are getting lots of sleep (never had that with my other 2) but my breasts are killing me for half a day. Result was I got mastitis. Feeling horrendous right now and was told to take antibiotics.

Will my milk supply get used to her schedule or should I wake her up more often to get some feeds in the night time and morning? I tried that earlier today but she didn't drink much.

Any advice us more than appreciated. I know it will pass but right now I'm feeling miserable.

Thank you!

It does sound pretty normal but I'd give one of the BFing helplines a call and just talk it through with a trained BFC

Literally same boat 4 days ago! I reached out to the national breastfeed helpline UK on Facebook messenger which is voluntary run and the advice was amazing! Maybe try there as I honestly cried with relief and wanted to kiss the woman who was responding to me

Could you express some milk when it is feeling too painful? (Or would that have the side effect of you making more..?)

I this sounds like a weirrdy beardy remedy but I promise you it helps: Savoy cabbage. Put in fridge to cool, take leaves and put in bra. Its eases the discomfort. Must be Savoy, don't know why. I only have a nipple on 1 breast, so there was literally no where for the milk in that one to go...you can imagine how painful that was. Savoy cabbage is you friend. I'm not a BF expert, but I don't think you should express, you want you milk supply to settle down to DDs appetite. Good luck!!

It will adapt to the schedule but it can take time to settle (it's also normal for her schedule to change). Until then, be ultra careful about anything pressing on your breast tissue as that can lead to blockages - I got mastitis from a really soft night bra which was annoying!

I'd be cautious about expressing if you've got a really healthy supply as the more you remove, the more you'll make, but a nice warm shower or bath and very gently expressing/massage under the water can be soothing and help a blockage to clear.

Thank you so much. Savoy cabbage does help indeed and I also tried chamomile. There is a new red patch today on the same breast. So sore. But temperature is much lower today so hopefully the antibiotics have started kicking in.

Totally agree with this after 4 EBF children.

That's great you're feeling a bit better. It's particularly rubbish to be feeling ill AND have to look after a newborn.

I was going to tell you about breast combing which I felt was helpful when I was prone to blockages and mastitis, but apparently things have moved on about understanding of what's going on and advice is rest, hydration, painkillers, feed as normal. www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/common-concerns/inflammation-milk-ducts-also-known-blocked-ducts